Official:Amending Section 10-840 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Criminal and Defiant Trespassers," to clarify and modify applicable definitions, penalties, and procedures, and to make certain technical changes, all under certain terms and conditions.
Sponsor: Councilmember Parker
Introduced: September 13, 2018
Voted: December 6, 2018
: Committee on Public Safety
Status: Introduced, step 1 of 4
This bill clarifies and modifies laws related to criminal and defiant trespassers in Philadelphia, changing definitions and penalties.
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This bill protects the rights of Philadelphia homeowners by clarifying that trespassers have no claim to occupy residential property against the owner's wishes, and amends penalties to ensure accountability for those who disregard property rights. This bill safeguards the investments and personal spaces of homeowners, allowing them to maintain control and security over their own property. As a result, homeowners in Philadelphia can rest assured that their property will be protected from unauthorized occupation.
This bill hands more power to property owners and police, allowing them to unilaterally determine who is a "criminal and defiant trespasser" without clear guidelines or due process. It increases the potential for arbitrary enforcement and raises concerns about racial and socioeconomic profiling, as individuals who are already marginalized may be disproportionately targeted. The bill also sets a precedent for expanding police and property owner authority at the expense of individual rights and freedoms, with potentially far-reaching implications for other areas of city law and policy.
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